8 year old - eyes flicking. Should I be concerned.

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Morning.
Ds has started a little thing (not sure should I call it a tic?) Where his eyes dart up as if he's deep in thought. It's becoming common that nearly during every conversation he does it.

It'd hard to explain on a message. It's just once. Raises his eyebrow. Not several times in a row. But quite common in that it's noticeable. Maybe its a little phase. Any help or insight would be appreciated. Sorry if my post is silly.

I know exactly what you mean, my DS did this too at the same age! I took him to the optician who tested his eyes and said it’s nothing to worry about, just a phase.

I eventually figured out he was mimicking an American tv character from a kids tv show who really over emphasised facial expressions Could this be it?

My DS did this at about 4/5 for a few months. We had him checked out but apparently it was a type of tic and he stopped eventually. I remember being really worried at the time

DS went though a whole range of tics as a child and I think I remember this one! He still has one now as a young adult (a different one) which will emerge very occasionally but he now recognised he’s doing it.

When he was a child, DH and I just had to learn to ignore each tic as it emerged and not make anything of it. They all went away eventually except this very occasional one so try not to worry. We did chat to his teachers about them as they had noticed them too, so that everyone knew not to make a big deal of them.

Thank You and I wish you a wonderful Christmas

Dh mentioned getting his eyes tested and we do only allow tablets at the weekend but they watch youtube (junk) so I will restrict that too.

I’d want to rule out juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

My youngest has mild nystagmus, but only when he’s moving.

My friend's son did this, same age. He absolutely grew out of it.

My DS started a tic thing too, similar age. It was his shoulder sort of rolling and I was getting worried. Until I went to parents’ evening and noticed his teacher did exactly the same thing! It didn’t last long.

My daughter did this at around 10-11 - it is a tic. She also had a clearing her throat constantly tic, quite annoying! She has grown out of it now. One thing that really really helped, and I learned on mumsnet, was magnesium supplements. Apparently many people are low on magnesium, and it can cause tics.

Thanks so much all and bucketen that's very interesting about the magnesium

I've used multivitamins for years and we ran out of them a few weeks ago but will also get a magnesium supplement. Thank you.